Airline Loyalty Rewards
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles Loyalty Program Review
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Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Lihue
Hawaiian Airlines Overview
HawaiianMiles is one of the few remaining mileage programs that is not revenue-based. With HawaiianMiles, a mile flown is a mile earned.
Joining HawaiianMiles
To join, simply enroll online for free. You’ll immediately be eligible to earn miles in the future as well as retroactively.
You start off at the basic membership level. Rather than wait to earn elite status, you can gain travel benefits quickly by purchasing a Premier Club membership.
How to Sign in to Your HawaiianMiles Account
Sign in on the HawaiianMiles homepage. You’ll need to enter your account number, username, or email address along with your password.
Viewing Your Account Activity
View your HawaiianMiles account activity on the Mileage Statement page.
Points Expiration
As of February 12, 2021, HawaiianMiles no longer expire.
HawaiianMiles Mileage Program
HawaiianMiles Elite Status
HawaiianMiles has 2 elites status levels plus the Premier Club, which you can buy without prior travel.
Elite Status | Status Qualifications (per calendar year) |
Pualani Gold | Fly 20,000 miles or 30 segments |
Pualani Platinum | Fly 40,000 miles or 60 segments |
Current Pualani Elite members will have their statuses extended through February 2022. Additionally, requirements for achieving 2022 Pualani Gold or Platinum status have been reduced by 50%.
The updated qualifications for 2022 are:
Elite Status | Segments | Miles |
Pualani Gold | 15 Segments | 10,000 Miles |
Pualani Platinum | 30 Segments | 20,000 Miles |
All miles must be flown on Hawaiian Airlines flights to qualify. Partner flights do not count for elite qualification.
- Discounted award ticket offers
- Discounted upgrades 24 hours before departure
- Neighbor island flights: free same-day change to earlier flight
- 1-2 day fare holds on paid tickets
- Priority check-in and security
- 2 free checked bags
- Premier Club access
- 50% mileage bonus
- All the benefits of Pualani Gold, plus:
- 3 free checked bags
- 100% mileage bonus
- Complimentary upgrades
See the full HawaiianMiles elite benefits for details and terms.
Premier Club
For $299 or 40,000 miles, you can enroll in Premier Club without ever having flown a Hawaiian Airlines flight.
With Premier Club you get a number of travel benefits:
- Discounted award ticket offers
- 2 free checked bags
- Priority check-in and security
- Premier Club access
After your first year, annual renewal is $249 or 35,000 miles
Value of Hawaiian Airlines Elite Status
If you are earning Hawaiian Airlines Elite status, it’s because you travel heavily on Hawaiian Airlines. Their route network can’t be beaten for frequent travel in Hawaii, particularly to neighbor island and Pacific island destinations.
Pualani Gold generously offers Premier Club access, but not complimentary upgrades.
Pualani Platinum adds prized complimentary upgrades.
The ability to earn miles based on actual miles flown for JetBlue and Virgin America is attractive, especially if that partnership continues when Alaska absorbs Virgin America.
Occasional fliers on partner airlines such as All Nippon Airways and Korean Air may find it useful to pool their miles in HawaiianMiles.
How to Earn HawaiianMiles
HawaiianMiles can be earned through the traditional methods of flying, credit card spending, and an online shopping mall. However, Hawaiian Airlines has distinguished itself with a way to earn bonus miles on in-store purchases.
These options provide you with plenty of opportunities to earn HawaiianMiles for your next vacation.
Earn Miles Through Flying
HawaiianMiles can be earned on all Hawaiian Airlines marketed flights.
All Hawaiian Airlines flights earn miles by distance flown. There is no mileage bonus for business class flights.
Earning varies by member status:
- Base member – actual miles flown
- Pualani Gold – actual miles flown + 50% mileage bonus, with 500-mile minimum on neighbor island flights
- Pualani Platinum – actual miles flown + 100% mileage bonus, with 500-mile minimum on neighbor island flights
Miles can also be earned retroactively for flights taken up to 120 days before signing up with HawaiianMiles.
HawaiianMiles can also be earned on partner airlines.
Earn Miles with Partner Airlines | |
China Airlines | |
|
Earning varies by fare class, with some fare classes excluded.
Earn Miles With Credit Cards
Hawaiian Airlines has 2 credit cards that allow you to earn HawaiianMiles directly: the Hawaiian Airlines® WorldElite MasterCard® and Hawaiian Airlines® Business MasterCard®, both offered through Barclaycard.
Both of these cards earn 2X miles per dollar on purchases with Hawaiian Airlines and 1X mile per dollar on all other purchases.
You can also earn miles by transferring American Express Membership Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio. Many cards that earn Membership Rewards have multiple bonus categories so you can actually get more HawaiianMiles by using these cards.
Branded and Partnered Credit Cards
There are a few credit cards that can help you collect HawaiianMiles which can be redeemed for some amazing flights.
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles Credit Cards
You can earn HawaiianMiles directly with two co-branded cards from Barclaycard:
American Express Membership Rewards Credit Cards
Earning Membership Rewards is probably the best way to earn lots of HawaiianMiles with numerous cards with bonus categories.
Recommended Amex Cards (Personal)
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
Pros & Cons
- The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
- 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
- $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
- Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
Apply With Confidence
Know if you're approved with no credit score impact
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
Why We Like This Card
The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
Pros & Cons
- 4x points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year; then 1x thereafter
- 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at AmexTravel.com
- $325 annual fee (rates and fees)
- No lounge access
Card Highlights
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: See Pay Over Time APR
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Recommended Amex Cards (Business)
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
Why We Like This Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
Pros & Cons
- 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
- Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
- High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
- Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
Card Highlights
- Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®, here.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 18.74% - 27.74% Variable
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Get 4x points in 2 select categories where your business spends the most each month (on your first $150,000 spent each year).
Why We Like This Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card is excellent at racking up rewards for your business spend.
The card earns a whopping 4x points per $1 in the 2 categories (from a list of 6) that your business spends the most money on each month. With no need to opt-in or preselect your categories, so you can focus on what matters most — running your business.
Pros & Cons
- 4x points per dollar spent on your 2 highest purchase categories each month up to $150,000 each calendar year in purchases; categories include:
- Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
- U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
- Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
- U.S. purchases at gas stations
- U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads, plus TV and radio)
- 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card
- Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
- $375 annual fee (rates and fees)
- No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access or elite status
Card Highlights
- Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.*
- 0% Intro APR ¤ for 6 months from the date of account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time, then a 18.74% to 27.74% variable APR.*
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points on the top two eligible categories where your business spends the most each month from 6 eligible categories. While your top 2 categories may change, you will earn 4X points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1X thereafter). Only the top 2 categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.*
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com using your Business Gold Card.*
- Earn up to $20 in statement credits monthly after you use the Business Gold Card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores. This can be an annual savings of up to $240. Enrollment required.
- Get up to a $12.95** statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Business Gold Card. **Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.*
- The Business Gold Card now comes in three metal designs: Gold, Rose Gold and Limited Edition White Gold. White Gold design is only available while supplies last. Make your selection when you apply on Americanexpress.com.
- *Terms Apply
- APR: 18.74% - 27.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 6 months from date of account opening
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Why We Like This Card
As a business owner, getting a credit card that maximizes each dollar you spend does not have to be complicated or expensive. Especially when you opt for The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express.
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros & Cons
- 2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
- Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
- No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
- No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
- No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Card Highlights
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 17.74% - 25.74%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You’ve got the power to spend beyond your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- APR: 17.74% - 25.74% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
Earn Bonus Miles In Other Ways
You can earn miles through everyday shopping using the HawaiianMiles Online Mall. Chrome users can install HawaiianMiles MileFinder to automatically earn miles in their shopping.
Register any major credit card at the HawaiianMiles Marketplace to earn miles in-store at participating merchants.
Additional earning opportunities are available with HawaiianMiles partner airlines, rental cars, hotels, cruises, and more.
To top off for an award, HawaiinMiles can be purchased for $14.58 per 500-mile block.
How to Redeem HawaiianMiles
HawaiianMiles can be used to book award travel on any Hawaiian Airlines flight and certain partner airline flights.
HawaiianMiles has replaced its former 6 types of fixed price awards with a range of prices for economy, first, and upgrades.
Here is the neighbor island and North America award chart:
One-Way Flight Awards | Economy | First |
Neighbor Island | ||
Neighbor Island | 7,500-20,000 | 15,000-30,000 |
Neighbor Island Upgrade |
| 7,500-15,000 |
North America To/From Hawaii | ||
North America (West Coast)-Hawaii | 20,000-90,000 | 40,000-80,000 |
North America (West Coast)-Hawaii Upgrade |
| 25,000-50,000 |
North America (East Coast)-Hawaii | 30,000-130,000 | 40,000-130,000 |
North America (East Coast)-Hawaii Upgrade |
| 25,000-50,000 |
For other destinations, consult the HawaiianMiles award chart.
Miles are redeemed one-way, and therefore you can combine award levels including Super Saver, Saver, and Flex Awards.
Miles/Dollars awards may show in searches. These awards can be purchased for fewer miles and higher cash prices.
Partner airline awards are limited to round-trip travel. One-way, multi-city, and stopovers are not permitted.
Redeem Miles With Partner Airlines | |
China Airlines | |
|
JetBlue awards are based on the price of a JetBlue revenue ticket, but they’re not a great value at less than 1 cent per point.
Other partners use traditional distance-based award charts and have some good values. Korean Air business class within Asia for 60,000 miles round-trip is an example.
You must call HawaiianMiles to check for partner award availability. Searches on the HawaiianMiles website only show Hawaiian Airlines flights.
The information regarding the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hawaiian Airlines Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.